In Python, call driver.get_screenshot_as_base64() on an active Selenium WebDriver session. It returns the current window screenshot as a Base64-encoded str—not PNG bytes and not an HTML data URL. Use the payload directly when a destination expects Base64 text; add a data-URL prefix only when embedding it in HTML.
Return the screenshot as a Base64 string in Python
Install Selenium and ensure a compatible browser and driver are available in your environment. Then navigate to the page and call the method after the page is ready for capture:
from selenium import webdriver
driver = webdriver.Chrome()
try:
driver.get("https://example.com")
screenshot_b64 = driver.get_screenshot_as_base64()
print(type(screenshot_b64)) # <class 'str'>
finally:
driver.quit()Remove the extra leading spaces before driver in the snippet if copying into a script; here is the same runnable code with standard indentation:
from selenium import webdriver
driver = webdriver.Chrome()
try:
driver.get("https://example.com")
screenshot_b64 = driver.get_screenshot_as_base64()
print(type(screenshot_b64)) # <class 'str'>
finally:
driver.quit()The first example is unnecessary; use the standard-indentation version. Selenium’s Python API reference documents this method as returning a Base64-encoded screenshot string of the current window: WebDriver.get_screenshot_as_base64().
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Embed it in an HTML image
An HTML <img> needs a data URL, so prepend the image MIME type and encoding marker:
img_src = f"data:image/png;base64,{screenshot_b64}"
html = f'<img alt="Page screenshot" src="{img_src}">'The Base64 payload itself does not include data:image/png;base64,. Add that prefix only for consumers that expect a data URL.
Choose Base64 text, PNG bytes, or a file
These are different representations of the same screenshot. Pick the Selenium method that matches what the next step needs:
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| What you need | Python method | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Base64 text for an API or data URL | driver.get_screenshot_as_base64() |
Base64-encoded str |
| Image data for in-memory processing | driver.get_screenshot_as_png() |
PNG bytes |
| A PNG saved on disk | driver.save_screenshot("screenshot.png") |
Writes a PNG and returns a Boolean success value |
| A PNG saved to a specified path | driver.get_screenshot_as_file(path) |
Saves a PNG file; check the returned Boolean |
Do not Base64-decode the value if the receiving system expects a Base64 string. Decode it only if the next operation needs raw image bytes.
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The Python driver method is documented as capturing the current window. Do not assume it captures an arbitrarily long page from top to bottom in every browser or implementation. If you need a screenshot of one element, use the element screenshot API for your Selenium binding rather than assuming the driver screenshot is limited to, or targeted at, that element.
Check the scope supported by the browser, driver and binding you actually use. The official Java TakesScreenshot reference discusses best-effort scope for nonconformant implementations; behavior should not be generalized across all browser-driver combinations.
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Equivalent methods in other Selenium bindings
The API name and return type vary by language. Selenium’s official documentation includes screenshot examples for these bindings:
- Java: A
TakesScreenshotimplementation can callgetScreenshotAs(OutputType.BASE64)to request a Base64 string. - JavaScript: The documented WebDriver example uses
await driver.takeScreenshot(), which returns an encoded string.
See Selenium’s official documentation for binding-specific examples. API reference versions can differ: the Python API page identifies Selenium 4.50.0, while the cited Java reference is version 4.28.0. Check the API documentation for the version installed in your project rather than assuming method names or types are identical.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting
The result is not a data URL
get_screenshot_as_base64() returns only the Base64 payload. If the consumer expects an HTML image source, construct data:image/png;base64, plus the returned string.
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The receiving code cannot read the value as image bytes
A Base64 string is text, while PNG bytes are binary data. Use get_screenshot_as_png() when the next operation expects bytes, or decode the Base64 value only at the point where bytes are required.
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The image shows only the visible window
The documented Python driver call captures the current window; it does not promise a full-page capture for every browser and driver. Verify the required scope in your target binding and browser, or capture a specific element with the element-level API if that is the actual target.
The saved screenshot file is missing or unsuccessful
When using save_screenshot() or get_screenshot_as_file(), check the Boolean return value and confirm that the path is writable. If you need Base64 text rather than a file, call get_screenshot_as_base64() instead.
The call fails before returning an image
The method requires an active WebDriver session. Create the driver, navigate to the target, and call the screenshot method before quitting the session. Selenium’s API documentation establishes the method shape, but does not certify a compatibility matrix for every browser and driver; consult the docs for the versions in your environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does get_screenshot_as_base64() include the data:image/png prefix?
No. It returns the Base64 payload; add the data-URL prefix only if the consumer requires an HTML image source.
Is the Python return value a string or bytes?
It is a Base64-encoded string. Use get_screenshot_as_png() when you need PNG bytes.
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